“While that’s a lovely thought, it wouldn’t work.”
I tried to keep a straight face, but the hint of a smile came out. Our days were always better thanks to Albert.
“Get in the goddamn car, Albert.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll make the air-conditioning cooler to help chill your anger.” He walked to the Maserati without a backward glance. Albert got away with more than I did. I was a bit jealous of that at times. I loved to rile my boss up. It was like a sporting event. We tried to see who was better at it. Albert always won.
“Micah or no one, Sheldon.”
I sighed. I was dramatic like that. “Fine. He’s better than nothing. Kayli would have been preferable.”
“I’m going to send her to you when you least expect her so she can keep my hands clean of your blood.” He wouldn’t. Solid threat though.
“Thank you, sir.” That seemed to irritate him too. He turned and stomped to the car, slamming the door once he was inside.
Reghan slid into the passenger seat. There was no doubt he heard our entire conversation. I didn’t worry about him spreading what he’d overheard. Even if he did, no one would be surprised. My infatuation with Forest was well known around our building.
At least having Micah on Forest would ease my mind a little. I should have taken it for the win it was, and not kept poking thebear by asking why not Kayli. If anything happened to Forest, whoever was on his detail better fucking run. Jordan wouldn’t be the scary person in that scenario. It would be me, and I knew a lot of ways to make someone scream in pain, begging me to stop doing what I was to them. It wasn’t always a simple pinch and death. I could drag it out for days.
14
FOREST
I wasn’t sure what I expected when Kayli dropped me off at home for the night. It certainly wasn’t finding Sheldon with some guy I didn’t know waiting for me.
Exiting the SUV, I said to Sheldon, “I know my brother is into multiple men, but I don’t think I can handle that.” Hell, I could barely handle Sheldon.
“Oh, beautiful, if you think I’m going to share, you’re so wrong,” Sheldon replied before stepping up and brushing his lips over my cheek. I blushed. It was completely involuntary, but I loved the grin Sheldon gave me when he saw it. “I’d like to introduce you to Micah.”
“Hi.” I extended my hand, unsure why he was here and why Kayli was watching us like we were the newest episode of a reality TV show.
“Forest, it’s nice to meet you,” Micah said. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Vail speaks very highly of you.” Micah was tall, standing at a best guess of six feet five inches. He was broad but not as big as Raiden or Reghan. And he had dark auburn hair that was cut short.
It was my turn to grin. “Yeah, well, he’s my best friend. It’s in the handbook.”
“I’ll be taking over for Kayli, only on the days you work. I’ll also be on call if you need me at any other time. I’m just down the street in Mr. Altair’s building.”
What did I say to that? I didn’t ask for a guard, but I knew Sheldon wanted me protected. While I appreciated his concern, I’d rather have no one following me all day. “Is this really necessary? I was fine at work. Nothing happened except I met people and learned how to do a new job. I didn’t even interact with customers.”
“Today,” Sheldon stated. “We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.”
“Your outlook on my life is inspiring.”
A sigh slid past his lips. “I’m being practical. It’s logical to have you protected at work.”
“Do I get any say in this?”
“No,” Sheldon said at the same time as Kayli.
“What?” she asked when we turned to look at her. “I’ve been working for Jordan long enough that I know how that man thinks, at least most of the time. If he agreed to have a guard on you at work, there’s no changing his mind. And don’t think of going to Vail or Hartley about it. They’ll want you protected too. Don’t even get me started on Sheldon.”
“Thanks, Kay,” he muttered.
“Anytime.”
“Okay, whatever,” I told them. I wasn’t winning this tonight. I was tired, hungry, and seeing Sheldon made my stomach swoop, even though there were other people here, and he was pushing a new guard at me.
“I’ll see you in the morning to pick you up for work,” Micah said.
